Collick and Williams Convicted in ID Theft Scheme

Montgomery, Alabama – A ruthless identity theft scheme was unraveled as Quentin Collick and Deatrice Williams were found guilty this week of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. by filing fraudulent tax returns. Collick, a debt collection employee, and Williams, his son-in-law, exploited their access to personal information for sinister gains.

Williams, while working at a Georgia-based debt collection company, stole names, social security numbers, and dates of birth of individuals with medical debts, providing the data to Collick. Together with Corey Thompson, who pleaded guilty earlier, they filed false tax returns using hijacked internet addresses from Thompson’s customers’ cable service.

The trio siphoned off refunds onto pre-paid debit cards, intercepting them before the U.S. Postal Service could reach the victims. “These criminals not only stole innocent people’s identities but used their internet service to perpetuate this crime,” declared U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr.

Collick faces a maximum sentence of 106 years and Williams 76 years, reflecting the severity of their crimes. The IRS – Criminal Investigation Division led the investigation, with Trial Attorneys Michael Boteler, Jason H. Poole, and Alexander Effendi prosecuting the case.

As they await sentencing, the message from law enforcement is clear: victimizing innocent victims will not be tolerated. “Our office will continue to work to obtain justice for all victims,” stated Beck.

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